• Novo Nordisk reduces Wegovy and Ozempic cash prices to $349 per month for some consumers.
• New patients can access an introductory rate of $199 for two months until March 2026.
• The price cuts come amid a deal with the Trump administration to improve drug affordability.

Novo Nordisk has announced a significant decrease in the out-of-pocket prices for its weight-loss drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, dropping the monthly cost to $349 from $499 for cash-paying patients. This pricing strategy is part of a broader plan to increase access to these drugs, especially among consumers without insurance, according to Reuters and CBS News.

In a competitive move, Novo also introduced a promotional offer for new patients, allowing them to pay only $199 for the first two months of treatment, with the new pricing initiatives effective through March 31, 2026. This introductory price aims to entice users back to branded medications, particularly as cheaper alternatives from compounding pharmacies have gained traction amidst previous drug shortages, as stated by Los Angeles Times.

The pricing reductions come as part of a deal with the Trump administration, aimed at making medications more affordable, particularly for Medicare and Medicaid recipients. Under this agreement, prescriptions for Novo's and its competitor Eli Lilly's weight-loss medications will see government pricing set at $149 per month for the lowest doses, effective in March. The financial strategy is a response to increased competition within the obesity drug market, particularly from Lilly's Zepbound, which has shown greater efficacy in clinical trials, according to Reuters, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.

According to Dave Moore, executive vice president of U.S. operations for Novo Nordisk, the intention behind the price cuts is to ensure that "these drugs are affordable and accessible to those who need them." The company's strategy reflects a need to regain market share after losing ground to competitors in the obesity treatment sector, emphasizing the urgency of addressing pricing structures to maintain consumer interest, as highlighted by Reuters and Los Angeles Times.